Building Educational Opportunities Near Gambier (BEACON) is a college preparation and advising program for first-generation Mount Vernon High School students, initiated by Kenyon students in collaboration with Kenyon’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

During the fall semester, the program will assist senior students with the application process through tutorials in tandem with one-on-one mentorship. 15 Mount Vernon High School seniors, called scholars, will be paired with a Kenyon student mentor, called an advisor. Advisors and scholars will attend three tutorials meant to teach scholars strategies for every step of the college application process, from filling out FAFSA to writing the personal statement; the tutorial content has been approved and informed by Kenyon admissions officers. 

In addition to the tutorials, scholars and advisors will remain in digital correspondence in accordance with scholars’ needs or, at minimum, with bi-weekly check-ins. Advisors will serve as supportive role models to whom scholars may direct any college-related questions. Scholars will also receive personalized college recommendations, feedback on application components, situational advice, tips on how to adjust to college life, and more. 

During the spring semester, advisors will hold tutorials for Mount Vernon High School underclassmen on how to start thinking about and planning for college application. Advisors and Mount Vernon High School students will not be paired during the spring semester; however, each student will receive personalized feedback in tutorials and have the option to schedule one-on-one appointments with an advisor. Spring participants are encouraged to get to know advisors, especially if they plan on becoming BEACON scholar in their senior year.

Mission Statement

We believe that education has the power to enrich an individual’s life materially and emotionally. Accordingly, BEACON works to empower first-generation high school students by providing them with the informational resources and individual support they need to succeed in higher education. By the end of the school year, scholars will have set higher education goals, applied to college and developed strategies for how to succeed in college. Underclassmen will have planned their high school careers according to their college goals and started to execute those goals through activities such as ACT prep. In our endeavor, we strive to make higher education more equitable and accessible to local students; we strive to help local students reach their fullest potential in higher education and beyond. 

Eligibility 

BEACON is a selective program. During the fall, the program will include 15 scholar-advisor pairs. Though students who are not first-generation may apply to become scholars or advisors, spots will be prioritized for first-generation applicants. Learn more about how Kenyon defines first generation status.

Besides first-generation status, scholars must demonstrate a commitment to higher education, whether it be through a strong academic record, character or both. However, we value diverse identities and experiences among scholars and encourage any student who feels they would benefit from mentorship during their college application process to apply for a BEACON scholar position. 

Advisors are model students in their scholarly pursuits and character. Advisors are strong writers, empathetic listeners and possess a stock of knowledge about the college application process. Just as we value diverse identities and experiences among scholars, we value diverse identities and experiences among advisors. Accordingly, we encourage any Kenyon student interested in helping a student improve their higher education outcomes to apply for the advisor position.

Advisor Expectations

To be an effective mentor, advisors must adhere to the following expectations:

  1. Attend all advisor training sessions. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will provide transportation.

  2. Attend all in-person meetings.

  3.  Perform bi-weekly check-ins and respond to scholar’s questions and requests in a timely manner, as outlined in the Advisor Terms and Conditions Form.

  4. Meet with ODEI twice throughout the semester for progress checks, which are thoroughly defined in the Advisor Terms and Conditions Form. 

Before applying to the advisor position, please read the Advisor Terms and Conditions Form, which is a comprehensive code of conduct and outline of responsibilities. To facilitate a relationship built on mutual understanding, we encourage you to read the Scholar Terms and Conditions Form) as well.

Scholar Expectations 

To benefit from BEACON, scholars must adhere to the following expectations:

  1. Attend all in-person meetings and engage with your advisor during the workshop portion. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will provide transportation.

  2. Ask for feedback, share your work, and express your concerns with your advisor.

  3. Contact program leadership if your advisor is not fulfilling their responsibilities. 

Before applying to a scholar position, please read the Scholar Terms and Conditions Form, which is a comprehensive code of conduct and outline of responsibilities. To facilitate a relationship built on mutual understanding, we encourage you to read the Advisor Terms and Conditions Form as well.

Apply

Information about the application process for BEACON advisors and scholars is coming soon. If you are interested in either position, please fill out the appropriate interest form, and we will notify you when applications open. 

Get in Touch 

If you have questions about BEACON, please contact program founder and committee chair Laney Tullius ‘28 at tullius1@kenyon.edu or ODEI coordinator Chau Vu ‘26 at vu4@kenyon.edu. If you are a Mount Vernon High School student, please contact guidance counselors (counselor name) at (counselor email) or (counselor name) (counselor email). Additionally, you may direct questions to the program email (program email).